You already know you need a strong lawyer. What you may not know is how to tell one apart during that first call. I study how injury cases move from intake to outcome, and I pay close attention to the habits that produce fair results. The questions below come from that work. Use them to filter noise, focus on substance, and choose counsel who fits your case and your goals.
If you are in Louisiana, include The Law Offices of Chip Forstall in your early research. Many people start there when searching for the best attorney after a car accident. I recommend adding them to your shortlist, then using the questions below to compare options.
You will learn how to evaluate case focus, team structure, communication, strategy, and costs. You will also see what to bring to your first call and a few red flags to avoid.
How to Use This Checklist
Book two or three free consultations.
Ask each question and take notes.
Compare answers across firms.
Pick the lawyer who explains your options with clarity and backs it up with a plan you trust.
Why Consider The Law Offices of Chip Forstall
They are a New Orleans personal injury firm with decades of experience. Auto accident cases are a core part of their work. Their team structure lets attorneys focus on certain case types, which can help when your claim involves specific injuries or complex facts.
They take a hands-on approach. They gather records, interview witnesses, and handle talks with insurers. They know local courts, procedures, and common tactics from insurance companies. They offer free consultations and work on a contingency fee, which aligns payment with a financial recovery.
If your crash involves serious injuries, multiple vehicles, a commercial driver, or a dispute with an insurer, their depth across accident types can be useful. Put them on your list and ask the questions below.
1. Do you focus your practice on car accident cases like mine?
I want to hear about actual focus, not a general personal injury label. Ask about cases with facts that mirror yours. For example, a rideshare crash, a rear-end collision with spine injuries, or a multi-car pileup.
Follow up:
- What percent of your cases are car accidents?
- How many active cases like mine do you have now?
2. What results have you achieved in cases similar to mine?
You are not asking for promises. You are looking for pattern and process. Ask for a few anonymized examples that match your injury type and liability facts. Listen for how they built value and what moved the number.
Follow up:
- What facts made those results possible?
- What facts held them back?
3. Who will handle my case day to day?
Many firms assign a team. That can be fine if roles are clear. Ask who investigates, who negotiates, and who tries cases.
Follow up:
- Will I meet the lead attorney?
- How much work goes to paralegals or other staff?
4. How will you investigate and preserve evidence?
Good cases rest on proof. I look for a plan that starts right away. That can include police reports, body cam footage, 911 audio, scene photos, vehicle data, medical records, and witness statements.
Follow up:
- How soon will you request video or electronic data?
- Do you work with crash reconstruction or medical experts?
5. How do you value a claim and advise on settlement or trial?
You need a framework, not a guess. Ask how they weigh medical care, lost income, pain, and long-term limits. Ask how they model risk and make timing calls on settlement.
Follow up:
- What range would you expect to discuss after you gather records?
- What milestones trigger a change in strategy?
6. How do fees and costs work, and what will I owe and when?
Most injury lawyers work on contingency. You still need clarity on case costs, medical liens, and how fees apply to a settlement or verdict. Ask for a plain-language example with numbers.
Follow up:
- Who pays case costs if we do not recover?
- How do you handle medical provider balances and liens?
7. How will you keep me informed?
Silence breeds stress. I look for a simple plan for updates and a direct contact who replies within a set time.
Follow up:
- How often will I get updates during treatment and after?
- Do you offer text or email check-ins?
8. What is my role and what decisions will you ask me to make?
Clear roles prevent delays. You should know what records to track, how to handle social media, and how to respond to insurer contact.
Follow up:
- What should I do if an insurer calls me?
- What documents should I save each week?
9. What is your approach with insurance companies?
Ask how they frame liability and damages. Ask about demand letters, negotiation steps, and their posture if the offer is low.
Follow up:
- How do you counter common insurer arguments in cases like mine?
- When do you recommend filing suit?
10. What are the biggest risks in my case and how will you plan for them?
Every case has weak spots. Good lawyers name them and explain how to manage them. That can include preexisting injuries, gaps in treatment, shared fault, or missing evidence.
Follow up:
- What evidence would reduce these risks?
- What timeline helps protect my claim?
Red Flags That Call for a Second Look
- Vague answers about who handles your case.
- Pressure to sign before you understand fees.
- No plan to secure time-sensitive video or data.
- Overly rosy talk with no mention of risk.
- Slow or confusing responses during the first call.
What to Bring to the First Call
- Crash date, time, and location.
- Police report number and any photos or videos you have.
- Names of medical providers and dates of visits.
- Health insurance details.
- Work history and dates you missed work.
- Any contact from insurers.
Final Take
Strong cases start with a lawyer who explains the road ahead and backs it with action. Ask these questions, compare answers, and choose the attorney who gives you clarity, a real plan, and consistent follow-through.
If you live in Louisiana, include The Law Offices of Chip Forstall in your consultations. Their focus on auto accidents, local experience, and hands-on process make them a smart benchmark as you decide who should guide your claim.
